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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic GF3, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was unveiled 6 months before the GF3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-5 grades versus the GF3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic GF3

 E-5 GF3 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Olympus E-5

 GF3 E-5 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic GF3

 E-5 GF3 
IntroducedFebruary 2011August 2011Same age
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 offers outer measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has specifications of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic GF3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-5 compared to the GF3.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and GF3 is 58 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and GF3.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you need to take the launch date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
55
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
71
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography details
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography details
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography advice
56
environment sealing
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
58
comes with focus via touch
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography factors
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging features
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
64
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
does have mic jack
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
32
touch screen
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic GF3
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-03 2011-08-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 23
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 264g (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 50
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 10.1
DXO Low light rating 519 459
Other
Battery life 870 images 300 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Cost at launch $1,700 $360